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Elderly woman victim of 'grandparent' scam; suspect at large

Fraudster convinced elderly woman that her grandson had been arrested and needed bail money; police searching for female suspect
fraudsuspectnrps

NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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On June 21, 2022, Niagara Regional Police Service officers assigned to 2 District (Niagara Falls/Niagara-on-the-Lake) responded to a residential address located in the south end of Niagara Falls regarding a fraud investigation.

Upon arrival, officers spoke to an elderly complainant who received a telephone call from someone claiming to be her grandson.  The male indicated he had been arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and was in immediate need of assistance in order to be released from custody.

The complainant was instructed to attend her bank to withdraw funds.  Shortly after arriving home, a female suspect attended her residence to pick up the funds.  The complainant later spoke with her grandson and learned he had not been arrested by the RCMP.

Detectives assigned to the Central Fraud Unit are continuing with the investigation and are appealing to members of the public for assistance identifying the suspect, described as follows:

  • Female
  • Black
  • 35 to 45 years
  • Black hair in a bun
  • Wearing a white sleeveless blouse
  • Wearing black pants
  • Wearing black sandals
  • Carrying a beige purse
  • Tattoo on left wrist

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the lead detective at 905-688-4111, option 3, badge #1009004.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.  Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.

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